Primary and secondary admissions prospectus

You can only submit an appeal if you have received a formal letter of refusal. If you would like to appeal decisions made by more than one school, you need to submit a separate appeal for each school.

Before submitting your appeal, read the admissions arrangements for the school you would like to appeal to. If the school is a voluntary-aided, academy or free school this information will be on their website. If the school is a community school or voluntary-controlled, read our school admissions arrangements. This will help you to understand how places are allocated and may help you to build a case for your appeal.

If you are not sure whether an appeal is the right option for you, you can also speak to one of our admissions team to discuss other options that are available to you.

You can seek advice on your appeal from the Advisory Centre for Education.

Submit your appeal

Admissions appeal timetable 2023

Main round admissions appeals for secondary school

Appeals forms must be received by late March 2023 and appeals will be heard during May and June 2023.

Main round admissions appeals for primary school

Appeals forms must be received by late May 2023 and appeals will be heard during June and July 2023.

Late main round appeals

You may submit a late appeal form after the deadline date, but your appeal may not be heard in advance of the new academic year for September 2023.

What happens after you submit your appeal

You will attend a formal hearing before an independent panel.

The appeal process allows the admission authority to explain why your child was refused a place at your preferred school. You will explain why you believe your child should get a place at that school.

You can learn more about the appeal process and how panels reach decision on the government website on school admissions appeals.